Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D,B.C.S.A.,DAPA.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project
There is a need to offer support to autistics in an embracing way.
Published on May 15, 2013 by Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D., B.C.S.A. in Extreme States of Mind
In my fourteen years of journeying with autistic and developmentally different persons, I have always presumed intellect and known that they possess inherent strengths and passions.
I have seen two very divergent attitudes towards autism, one which seeks to eradicate autism and is willing to implement any strategy, even by force and coercion to seek to alter the person to fit into the mainstream. I find this a degrading and inhumane approach but it is often a core attitude present in behavioralist approaches.
Wanting to embrace the autistic person, to understand their experience, to support their struggle, and to help them navigate through the mainstream, I developed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance is unique in that it provides consultation based on a relational and existential approach as well as educational advocacy. The goal is to help the person find meaning, and to be able to forge emotional connections. This is accomplished by respectfully entering the world of the autistic person and helping them gain understanding of the world of others. Though referred to as the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project, this work has spread beyond Pennsylvania and consultation has been provided both across the nation and abroad.
It is my hope that through this Project, people will not only develop greater awareness of autism, but a greater acceptance, a willingness to understand, to see autism as a mode of being rather than a 'disease' and to see autistic persons as persons of value and in need of dignity and respect.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS IS NOW EXPANDING HIS RELATIONAL/EXISTENTIAL WORK TO THE POCONOS.
TO ARRANVGE A CONSULTATION, CONTACT batushkad@yahoo.com
http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html
http://psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-states-mind

Friday, May 10, 2013

tO ARRANGE A CONSULT WITH DR. EDMUNDS, CONTACT
batushkad@yahoo.com
I met with a 5 year old autistic boy who was non-verbal. He came into the office and began banging his hands on the computer keyboard. The secretary’s immediate response as it typical was to suppress that behavior and make it go away. Instead, I told her to let him go. We had a ball pit in the center of the room, and I told the boy that if he wanted to keep hitting the keyboard that I might have to pick him up and toss him in the ball pit. He continued, and I picked him up and tossed him in. He got out of the ball pit and walked back over to the keyboard. This time, he did not hit the keyboard but outstretched his hands toward it and then fell back into my arms for me to toss him in the ball pit. He giggled and laughed and then spoke the words, “do it again.” I was amazed. Relationship was at the key of this interaction and an emotional connection was forged. I entered into his world, and he reciprocated and entered mine.
I met with a 3 year old boy who was also non-verbal. He had been placed into foster care almost from day one of his life and both his parents were violent and abusive and there was chaotic family dynamics. The foster family were not equipped to deal with the challenges. The boy would often have intense meltdowns lasting an hour at a time where he would scream and cry uncontrollably. The first thing was to explore why this was occurring, what was triggering it? Why was this child becoming so frustrated and overwhelmed? I came to learn that the foster mother was working a lot, and there would be periods of separation . This is was at the root cause, and it was later acknowledged by the family. Typically though the establishment would see these meltdowns as ‘dangerous’ and
problematic and want to shut it down with an antipsychotic drug rather than seeking to understand why it is occurring. I would spend time with the child, letting him take the lead, and just merely being a presence, and hoping he would allow me to enter his space. I encouraged the foster parents to do the same, however this did not occur. These foster parents made the decision that with their current dynamics that it may be better for the child to be in a home where more time could be devoted. A new foster family was arranged, where no other children were present, and the foster mother stayed at home. The child thrived in this setting, and his language developed at a rapid pace, and the meltdowns became minimal. The foster parents began utilizing relational approaches and spent much time seeking to understand and make emotional connections with the child. Gradually, they began seeking to have him interact with peers, and this became much easier for him to do. Their entire approach was based on acceptance.
I received this letter from the father of one of my former clients who at the time was 7 years old. “Dr. Edmunds has developed a strong rapport with (my child). He even waits at the corner of our street in anticipation of his visits. More importantly, over the course of the summer we saw a definite improvement in (his) socialization and behavior at home...I have been extremely impressed with Dr. Edmunds' extensive knowledge...I also appreciate the comfort we receive in learning of positive results he has achieved with other children. Although I have read extensively myself and spoken with his developmental pediatrician, Dr. Edmunds has been able to translate his theoretical understanding into practical steps that have helped (my child) and us.” In my work with this young man, I sought to build a connection and a relationship and as the father notes, this came in a way where he would await my visits whereas he was previously known to be one who was somewhat disengaged and oblivious to others. I used his interests and his strengths to build this connection and in the process of him opening his world to be, I began to introduce him to that of the mainstream, so he would have an awareness. He had a number of sensory concerns and transitions were always challenging for him, but we worked through pro-active ways to address this. When transitions came forward, he was more prepared ahead of time to deal with them and therefore the need for meltdowns reduced significantly. I also always sought the engagement of the parents. This is the key component, I was present for a brief time, so it is the parents who ultimately must carry things onward and continue to help their child in making emotional connections and being able to navigate through the world.
I worked with an autistic child who was blind and had paralysis in his legs. When frustrated and overwhelmed, he would require a helmet at times because he would bang his head. Many would dismiss any attempts to engage with him believing him to be ‘too disabled’ or ‘too troubling’. But even here, there was work done in assessing his environment, seeking to alleviate those things that caused distress and overwhelm. And emotional connections were able to be made with him in spite of his challenges and differences. I let him take the lead, and he would at times grasp my hand and lead me through his house. In spite of his blindness, he knew his surroundings by touch. He enjoyed listening to music and he had one game he would play where he would cover himself with blankets and giggle. These were important emotional connections not to be ignored.

Monday, May 06, 2013

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.,B.C.S.A.,DAPA will be offering in the Pocono Region of NEPA consultation on relational/existential approaches to autism and developmental differences as well as extreme states of mind that encourages acceptance, self determination, and dignity. In addition, educational advocacy will be provided. For information on Dr. Edmunds' background and work, please see:
http://psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-states-mind
http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html
To arrange a consultation, contact: batushkad@yahoo.com

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds has pioneered drug free, relationship and community based programs for persons undergoing extreme states of mind ('schizophrenia', 'schizoaffective', "bipolar), troubled adolescents, and victims of trauma. Dr. Edmunds also has worked extensively with autistic and developmentally children and adults and developed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project. Dr. Edmunds profile with links to recent radio and television interviews can be found at:

Dr. Edmunds' main focus is on creating a safe environment of empowerment where suffering is not avoided but is realized as part of the human condition and the person is supported. Dr. Edmunds seeks to encourage dignity, autonomy, and self determination.

About Me

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is a graduate of the University of Florida. He received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton and received his Doctorate of Education in Community Counseling from Argosy University of Sarasota. Dr. Edmunds
is a noted existential psychotherapist in practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania, having worked with children, teens, and adults. He is Board Certified in Sexual Abuse Issues through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Dr. Edmunds has been a guest on local and nationally syndicated radio programs and has been a presenter at numerous professional conferences.
Dr. Edmunds has been a critic of the bio-psychiatric paradigm and advocated for a more humane and dignified mental health system. He strongly supports human rights in the mental health field. He consults with children, families and adults undergoing serious emotional distress and extreme states of mind using a relationship based approach. His website can be found at http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html
To consult with Dr. Edmunds, you may e-mail the International Center for Humane Psychiatry at
batushkad@yahoo.com

BOOKS BY DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS

Meeting of Two Persons; Mystical Metaphors; They Say My Child Has "ADHD"

DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds has pioneered drug free, relational, and community based approaches for persons undergoing extreme states of mind and has been involved in autism acceptance. Dr. Edmunds is the author of THE MEETING OF TWO PERSONS, a dynamic text detailing the social, familial, and political processes that lead to emotional distress. He is also the author of MYSTICAL METAPHORS which makes the experience of 'psychoses' understandable and discusses the need to 'journey with' persons undergoing distress. Dr. Edmunds is a social activist and researcher. He is Director of the Critical Psychology Certificate Program at EAU and the Founder of the International Center for Humane Psychiatry.

Dr. Edmunds has developed a low fee clinic in Northeastern Pennsylvania to make compassionate, empathic therapy accessible and to offer alternatives to often toxic psychiatric drugs. Dr. Edmunds has alterted to the dangers of psychiatric drugs and advocated for a more humane mental health system. In 2006, he founded the International Center for Humane Psychiatry, an emancipatory movement for human rights in the mental health system. Dr. Edmunds is a contributor to the Psychology Today and Mad in America websites and has frequently been interviewed on radio and television.

Dr. Edmunds completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida receiving a BA in Religion with minor in Sociology. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Scranton. He completed post-graduate coursework in Dispute Resolution via Nova Southeastern University and earned a Doctorate of Education from the University of Sarasota. Dr. Edmunds is Board Certified in Sexual Abuse Issues via the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association.